After the painful drain, I taped up the wound and headed out to climb. Since we where limited to one pitch routes with short approaches we took the short walk to the swan slab. The routes that we where looking to tackle where in use so I took my harness off and attempted to try a hand crack boulder problem. Putting my shoes on that day was more painful then can be described with English language, which depresses me. After determining that it was too painful to climb we headed back to camp to pick up some supplies before heading up to Mariposa Grove to see the giant sequoias.
My pictures of these trees don't do them justice. They aren't as tall as the famous red woods, but they are still pretty damn huge.
Here's a picture of Leah walking through the "California" Tree. This place, like the rest of the valley was over overrun with tourist. My favorite was the couple from Eastern Europe. Leah took a picture of the two of them. Then the guy proceeded to take pictures of his girlfriend as she tried out several different "sexy" poses. This was a bit much for me and Leah's foot was starting to ache from the hiking so we headed back for some food and to meet team Tennessee.
I don't know what it is that makes people act so goddamn strange when they're around wildlife. It seems that ninety percent of the population acts like crazy jackasses when they're out in the woods (Yes, I know they do that when they're in the the city too.) There are signs everywhere in the park asking you to not feed the animals, and inform you that there will be fines to pay. This didn't stop one woman from giving a squirrel water from the water fountain and a pack of cookies to run off with. I mean if she didn't fucking want them I would have gladly taken them. Their cookies for christ sakes.
After making some food and packing some beers. Cory, Nate, Bone, and Alan took us up to a spot they called the couch. I, like a jackass forgot my camera, but I did bring my shoes and chalk bag, for all that climbing I couldn't do. We drank beers, sat in this great area which was actually cut out like a couch. As we bullshit about life in Tennessee, Cleveland (Akron), and Portland we had great views of the Royal Arches, Half Dome and the Washington Column. This was the only time that I felt we where out of the craziness of the valley floor. We couldn't even see the packed parking lot below. Once the sun had set on Half Dome we put on our head lamps, packed up the beers and headed back for some sleep.
The next day, we got up, stole some showers, grabbed Cory and Nate and headed over to the climbs we missed yesterday. I love taking people climbing and seeing their stoke when the get to the top. Its no secret that I'm not a good climber. But I do like putting up a rope and giving people a chance to experience something that I love. Even when I get shown up, like Cory walking up Lena's Lie back, when I struggled to get my fat ass fingers into the tiny constrictions.
I woke up on our last day, helped pack up some of the stuff. Then headed over to Leah's car for my shoes and chalk bag in hopes of sacking up, dealing the pain (again) and do some boulder problems.
There was a small group of people standing around the car and I wondered what all the commotion was as I hit the unlock button. Upon arriving at the car I saw that I didn't need to unlock it. A bear had done me the favor of opening up the car for us. Thanks Bear!! For real, we had no food or anything in the car. Here's a view of the damage.
As you can see, the car was pretty fucked. After surveying the damage we went to the valley car depot--got our windows taped up and headed out.
This how my trip to meca ended. All in all, I'm glad I was there and I'm stoked to go back. As soon as I get this goddamn heel fixed.
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